Wednesday, March 15, 2000
Classic R&B on tap for Coors Light Fest
BY LARRY NAGER
The Cincinnati Enquirer
Opening night of the 2000 Coors Light Festival brings the venerable soulfest firmly into the 21st century with headliners Erykah Badu and D'Angelo.
But the main attraction of the three-night event at Cinergy Field — set for July 28-30 — remains classic R&B. The July 29 concert features perennial headliners Frankie Beverly & Maze and Patti LaBelle, the first time they have appeared on the same night, according to Joe Santangelo, who produces the fest for Blue Chip Broadcasting.
There's also a big helping of the classic Ohio Valley sound, as July 28 features Midnight Star, the Cincinnati band that topped the charts in 1983 with “Freak-A-Zoid,” and Sunday features Dayton funk kings, the Ohio Players.
The July 30 lineup continues the classic soul theme with second-generation soulman Gerald Levert and the Whispers on the bill.
The third night remains a hard-sell, says the producer, with a serious drop-off in attendance as “jazzfest” attendees head home to be at work Monday. Mr. Santangelo cited one tour group out of Detroit that reserved 600 tickets each of the first two nights and only 50 for Sunday.
This may be the last year for a three-night event. "If we're not able to sustain a festival at the stadium for a Sunday night, this could be a two-day event in the future,” says Mr. Santangelo.
Ticket prices for the July 28-29 shows remain unchanged from last year — $50, $35 and $25 nightly. Sunday tickets have been reduced to $35 and $25, with all but VIP seating set at the lower price.
The lineup of the 2000 Coors Light Festival:
• July 28 — D'Angelo, Erykah Badu, Eric Benet, the reunion of Midnight Star and one more TBA act remains.
• July 29 — Frankie Beverly & Maze, Patti LaBelle, the Temptations, Sisqo (lead singer of Dru Hill) and the Ohio Players reunion.
• July 30 — Gerald Levert, the Whispers, Boney James and one act TBA.
All shows begin at 8 p.m. The third night traditionally began around 5 p.m. to accommodate those driving home. However, given the late-July heat and the fact that so few out-of-town attendees stayed for the Sunday shows, the starting time has been moved back to the cooler evening.
Tickets go on sale at noon Saturday at Ticketmaster outlets in all Thriftway stores and other locations and by phone: 562-4949.
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